clinical use

Old drugs for new uses

Researchers at the University of Leeds are using: the anti-psychotic haloperidol; the anti-depressant fluoxetine and a local anaesthetic bupivacainein as anti-virals.

The drugs disrupt the regulation of potassium levels and this, in turn, blocks the ability of all of the group of bunyaviruses to infect cells. It’s not effective on all viruses, but is looking very promising research.

Patient’s Barcodes

An article here suggests that six Trusts have been selected to introduce patient barcoding. Patients admitted to hospital will be issued with bracelets with barcodes. This is intended to reduce errors and increase efficiency.

Biomimetic 4D printing

Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering has developed 4D printing – that is 3D printing which moves and grows.

They printed cellulose fiber flowers which contain acrylamide hydrogel which absorbs water. So, when the flowers are placed on water, the gel absorbs the water and the flowers move. Very cool video here:

Much of the research for diabetes as a disease involves digital innovations such as fast and accurate meters, online recording systems or continuous monitoring and delivery meters. But many see these as a stop gap until the ‘holy grail’ of diabetes is achieved: an intervention to replace insulin production. Sometimes the best treatment can involve replacing or bypassing these digital innovations.

Eric Topol And Stephen R. Quake (2015) A Stethoscope for the Next 200 Years. The ability to see ‘alien’ DNA and RNA in the blood can detect cancers very early. The Wall Street Journal. Jan. 2, 2015 6:55 p.m. ET http://www.wsj.com/articles/eric-topol-and-stephen-r-quake-a-stethoscope-for-the-next-200-years-1420242913

“the amazing specificity of DNA and RNA sequencing has the potential to lead to much more informative, and better-performing […]

“When added to the ever increasing availability of printers,… The internet is no longer simply an information vehicle but a delivery vehicle, decentralising and accelerating the manufacturing process.”

“…combined with medical imaging, 3D printing also has the potential to revolutionise […]

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